Matt Gaetz says he won't return to Congress next year

• The panel deadlocked this week on whether to release its report on the former Florida congressman, thus keeping it under wraps.
• The panel was investigating Gaetz for a litany of allegations including sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, all of which he denies.

What he's saying: Gaetz first made his plans clear in an interview with Charlie Kirk, saying, "I'm still going to be in the fight, but it's going to be from a new perch. I do not intend to join the 119th Congress."

• Gaetz said there are a "number of fantastic Floridians" running for his seat and that he has "other goals in life that I'm eager to pursue."
• He added that he's "going to be fighting for" Trump and will do "whatever he asks of me," but "not as an elected member of the government."

Zoom out: Gaetz resigned his House seat last week, just hours after Trump announced he was nominating the controversial Floridian as his top law enforcement officer.

• It emerged shortly thereafter that Gaetz's resignation came just days before the Ethics Committee was set to meet and determine its next steps in its investigation of him.

• Several House Democrats have tried to force a House vote on releasing the report as senators said they would like to review its contents while considering Gaetz's nomination.

Between the lines: After Gaetz withdrew his nomination Thursday, speculation abounded on Capitol Hill about whether he would try to be seated in the 119th Congress.

• In his letter resigning his term in the 118th Congress, Gaetz said he did "not intend" to be seated in the next session on Jan. 3, 2025.
• Legal experts told Axios' April Rubin that Gaetz may have had to run in a special election to retake his seat.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional information.